FORT COLLINS — One year later, Colorado State is faced with the same question as it prepares to face Utah State.

How on earth will it contain quarterback Chuckie Keeton ?

This year’s film looks more menacing. A year older and wiser, though still just 19 , Keeton is an athletic, dual-threat quarterback, just as dangerous running the football as he is throwing it.

“They have a quarterback that if you don’t contain, he just beats you,” CSU coach Jim McElwain said. “The guys around him, you can see their belief in him because when he makes a play, all other 10 guys are there picking him up. You can tell that they really believe in that guy, that guy that’s driving the ship.”

So what does Colorado State try to do? Focus on the run? The pass? Try to take away the entire package?

Keeton has thrown for 701 yards, six touchdowns and just one interception this season. He has rushed for 164 yards. He ranks in the nation’s top 35 players in passing efficiency (152.4) and total offense (288.3 yards per game) and led his team to an upset victory over Utah. In a two-point loss at Wisconsin last weekend, he threw for 181 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 75 yards.

“Anytime you get into a guy that’s a threat as a runner that can also throw it, obviously it causes you a lot of issues,” McElwain said, adding the key is being disciplined on defense. “If you get yourself out of position, that’s where the creases are.”

CSU safeties Aaron Gray and Trent Matthews
like to push up in run support. This week, though, they do so at their own risk. The expectation will be for them to stay in coverage so Keeton can’t throw over the top.

“Everybody has got to do their job,” Gray said. “We’ve got to let the D-line and linebackers handle (the run). We’ve got to stay in coverage. That’s part of the defense; you’ve got to trust that everybody is going to do their job.”

The CSU defensive line has had its ups and downs. It played surprisingly well in the season opener against Colorado but struggled in losses the past two weeks.

“I think it’s important that we really understand our gap responsibilities up front,” McElwain said. “I really felt in the first game, they did a really good job of keeping guys off linebackers, letting those guys scrap and make plays.”

CSU needs a similar effort to contain Keeton well enough to give itself a chance to win.

“The thing you don’t want to do is let him break contain and make those big runs,” McElwain said. “It’s hard to play ‘turn your back to him’ defense, any man-under technique … because he’s one to run then — and everybody’s got their back to him.”

So what does Utah State do after losing a top-notch running back like Robert Turbin , who now plays in the NFL ? Replace him with an effective ball-carrier such as senior Kerwynn Williams . While not a world-beater, Williams has helped keep the Aggies’ offense on schedule, going for nearly 70 yards per game on a healthy 4.2 yards per carry.